Tony Campbell joined the team and was immediately placed on IR.
Randy White was reactivated last week. This is the last year on
Randy's contract so he is trying to prove that he is worth keeping.
(That will most likely be decided during training camp next year -
if he chooses to try out for the Mav.)
With the departure of co-captain Derek Harper, Fat Lever was
named co-captain. Jim Jackson is the other team captain.
As you have probably read, Jamal Mashburn and Popeye Jones were
named to the Schick Rookie Game. There were 16 rookies selected
(plus Bobby Hurley) and the Mavs were the only team to have two
players selected. The Rookie Game will replace the Legends Game,
which had been plagued by injuries the past few years. The 16
players will be divided into two teams during a mock draft by the
two coaches on Jan. 25. The teams will play two 15 minute halves
with a no foul-out rule on Feb. 12 (TNT 6:00 pm CT).
Mashburn acted like a spoiled brat during Minnesota's game last
Wednesday and Buckner actually responded like a solid coach.
Mashburn was not playing defense, took poor shots, and basically
acted like he didn't care about the game. After the game, he
attacked Buckner again for the Mavs playing style. The press, for
a change, took Buckner's side and blasted Mashburn for his
performance. My folks, who were at the game, were also disgusted
with Mashburn's performance. Buckner and Mashburn had a meeting
Thursday. Buckner said that Mashburn has hit the "wall" that
most rookies encounter and started Doug Smith at small forward
in place of Mashburn for Friday's game against Atlanta. Buckner
said that it was to try to help Mashburn get through his slump and
let Mashburn get a new, fresh perspective of what is occurring at
the start of the game. The general consensus was that it was a
disciplinary action. Mashburn handled the benching well. He was
courteous to the press and said that his slump was something he would
just have to work through - no complaints about being benched.
Mashburn also came in off the bench in Saturday's game against San
Antonio. It will be interesting to see who will start tonight
against Phoenix.
The Mavs set the NBA record (sole possession) for consecutive
home loses Saturday night at 17. The previous record had been
16 held by Orlando, but that spanned two season.
The players have reported that Buckner has given them more freedom
on offense - although you still see the triangle offense a lot.
Buckner is taking on more of a supportive role and less of a lecture-
oriented role on the sideline.
Jackson: "I think you have to be (more encouraging) in this
situation because of the youth on the team. But, yeah, it's been
a 90-degree turn from that stand-point. I think everyone realized
we needed to make sacrifices, including the coaches." "We have a lot
more freedom now as far as calling more plays on the court. I think
that's for the betterment of the team"
Rooks: "I think all-around, I've seen positive changes in everyone.
These last two games (Atlanta and San Antonio) - you don't want to be
proud or accepting of losses - but I think guys have made strides in
knowing what we have to do to win games."
patricia